Mikhail Gorbachev, the former Soviet leader who presided over the end of the
Cold War, has accused Russia’s current Government of an “attack on the
rights of its citizens”.

In an interview with the BBC published yesterday Mr Gorbachev, 82, argued that
President Vladimir Putin’s leadership of the country had stagnated because
he is “afraid” of the Russian people and surrounded by “thieves and corrupt
officials”.

Since returning to the presidency for a third term in May 2012, Mr Putin has
introduced a series of repressive laws including increased fines for
organising unauthorised protests, tougher libel and defamation penalties,
restrictions